It’s that time of year when kids are getting antsy, the long holiday break is done and they are awaiting the loveliness that is spring break~

Teachers are working hard to teach, teach, teach and cram in the content before the testing window opens yet again. Everyone is tired. I remember those days well, when I had a classroom… and now hear about them regularly during consultations.

My best advice is:

create a routine that makes sense for you!!!! Work out in the morning, drink your coffee, listen to your favorite music, read the newspaper… whatever works for you. Spend at least a few minutes every morning just being with yourself.

Create a plan for the day! ‘Today I am going to smile more. Today I am going to give at least 3 compliments. ETC.’ Give yourself a plan of attack and purpose for the day. Days can be long, and tedious, so give yourself some grace and a plan

Follow those lesson plans. Last week you spent your hard earned hours creating and prepping materials for the lesson plans. Try your best to stay on schedule, and complete what you came into the school to do!

After the day is complete, spend a few minutes debriefing (i.e. journaling, talk to yourself over a cup of tea/wine/etc., doodle, coloring books, movie, tv show, etc.). Think through what happened today… what are you proud of? What would you like to see less of?

Give yourself some grace! It is very important to give yourself some slack to be human. Although you are accountable for all 45 students in your classroom, this doesn’t mean you must be perfect!

In working with our students, we want to ensure that they have an effective way to communicate. This could be using vocal words… sign language… PECS pictures….. AAC device…. etc. Many times the effective commuication starts with pointing, tantrums and grunting, while possibly also pulling you across the room.

Think about the skill set of your learner.

Are they able to scan a large array?

Do they have an echoic repertoire?

Do you understand that a spoken word, picture or icon is the same as the actual item?

There are many different questions that you must ask before beginning instruction in any of these modes of communication.

In my practice, our young non-verbal learners typically start with echoics and sign language, as there is a breadth of research stating that if the child is going to speak, the combination of gross motor movement and the echoics will prompt the brain connection to promote speech. However, after several months, if echoics are not coming along, then we transition to either PECS or an AAC device.

When you are setting up your classroom, you want to connect with your students. If you don’t build a good relationship and rapport with your students, then they will not respond well to the classroom management (or discipline) that is being implemented.

Think about the organization of the classroom. What kind of learning environment do you want to establish? Collaborative? Independent? Small Group? Whole Group? Think about where the materials are located; processes/routines to access materials, ask and answer questions; participate in different learning enviornments; transitions (how to walk in hallway; what to do when I need to use the bathroom; how to get set up for the day; etc.).

Set up 3-5 positive expectations about what you want to see in your classroom. During the first several weeks at school, review before, during and after every activity. Role play different situations and make them fun! Get the students up and moving, but also reinforce the expectations/rules throughout!

Spend the first few days of school playing ‘get to know you games’ and relationship/trust building activities, while you incorporate the expectations. It is our job to teach the children that are walking in the door, which may or may not be ‘rule abiding’.

We need to teach them everything (even if they are not on par with peers), but that is the exciting challenge of teaching. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks in the coming weeks!